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On one side we have Dave Starr, veteran bass player with Vicious Rumors and Chastain. On the other side, London Wilde, vocalist and keyboard player for over 10 years, who happened to be in the right place at the right time for Wildestarr to be born.

Back in 2003, Dave and London got together for a project, named it after the combination of their last names and started cranking out Melodic Heavy Metal.

Arrival was released in 2009 through Furnace Maximus Records and, judging by the material, owes a lot to the Heavy Metal world of the 80s. Musical and lyrical influences from bands like Judas Priest, Queensryche, Vicious Rumors and Crimson Glory abound. Both artists laid it all on the line for everyone to hear.

Drummer Jim Hawthorne rounded out the recording lineup of Wildestarr. Starr handled the guitars and bass while London lent her vocal and keyboard talents. Despite normally playing bass, Starr is also a pretty good guitarist as well as a writer. His rhythms and leads, while not the stuff of legend and a bit repetitive, are catchy and easy to grasp. The bass work was handled with his normal finesse.

The main story of Arrival, though, is London Wilde. Besides providing groundwork of keyboards, she uses her voice like a perfect weapon. It escapes me as to why some band in the Metal world hasn't caught up with this dynamite screaming banshee. Her strong voice reaches towering notes, the likes of which are usually only heard from the Halfords, Tates and Alberts of the world. What could be better than that? Starr may have written most of the music, but Wilde is the real "star," her awesome voice making even the repetitive riffs sound compelling.

Wildestarr are here to stay. Their debut is a necessity for every Heavy Metal fan that reveres the 80s yet it also sits well with the music of today, thanks to modern production. Arrival has power, strong vocal lines and melodies and a sort of simplicity. Any shortcomings are overshadowed by its strengths.

Highlights: "Arrival," "The Chain," "Rise," "Down of the Sun," "In This World," "Nevermore" (one of the greatest power ballads), "Roses in the Dark."